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If you’ve never taken the time to troubleshoot your dishwasher, there are some things you can do before you call for repair if your dishwasher appears to be working at a substandard performance level. Keep in mind that you can always call immediately for a dishwasher repair contractor. But before you make that call, let’s go through some simple things you can do that might get it back into working condition.
How to Troubleshoot Your Dishwasher Before You Call for Repairs
Whether or not your dishes come out of the dishwasher clean depends on a few different factors. To help you check your dishwasher to see if there is something you can do before you call in the repair people, we’ve developed the checklist below for your convenience.
✔ Clear Excess Food off the Dishes
A dishwasher cleans the dishes but you must still scrape off excess food and rinse the dish before loading it into the dishwasher. Excess food will not only clog your drains, but it will also quite possibly not get washed off during the wash cycle and then harden on the dish during the drying cycle. Instead, rinse those excess food scraps into the garbage disposal before you place the dish into your dishwasher.
✔ Set the Water Temperature Correctly
The quality of water in your home is vital for your dishwasher to work. To help you determine whether or not your dishwasher has the right water temperature, run hot water from the sink before you start using your dishwasher. Get a glass, fill it with the hottest water from your tap, and use a thermometer to test the temperature. Ideally, the water in your dishwasher should be around 120℉ to 150℉. If the results don’t reach this range, adjust the temperature of your water heater.
✔ Use Recommended Detergents
Different detergents are available in the market today. You can buy ones that have a strong or mild scent, and even those that are low cost. However, when you’re buying detergent for your dishwasher, the scent and the price shouldn’t be your only considerations. It’s important to check if the detergent is appropriate for dishwasher use. We also recommend reading the manufacturer’s manual to ensure that you use the appropriate type of detergent.
✔ Ensure Adequate Water Flow
Along with choosing the right detergent, your dishwasher must have the right amount of water flow in order for it to do its job adequately. Do this by starting a wash cycle, then, when you hear the water fill stop, open the door to check the water level. At this point, the water should reach the heating coil. If it doesn’t, check the float valve and make sure that it’s operating freely, and that the inlet valve is free from debris.
✔ Check the Powersource
If you experience this kind of situation, check the power source of your dishwasher. You should make sure that there’s no blown fuse and the outlet isn’t malfunctioning. If none of these seem to be the cause of the problem, unplug the dishwasher and plug it back again.
✔ Latch the Door Securely
Then, last, but certainly not least, be sure to check the door of your dishwasher to make sure it’s closed and latched properly. Usually, when the door isn’t closed properly, your dishwasher won’t start.
Call the Professionals
When you’ve exhausted all possibilities with the checklist above, then, it’s time to call the professionals. We caution against performing dishwasher repairs by yourself. Instead, let the pros repair your dishwasher because they have the skills and experience.
Knowing how to check your dishwasher is a good thing because it can help you maintain its lifespan. But although it can be tempting, you shouldn’t repair your dishwasher on your own as this can only lead to bigger problems and expenses. Once you’ve noticed that your dishwasher isn’t working, check its parts and once you’ve confirmed the problem, we recommend that you call for professional help.
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About the Author: Ashley Edwards
